Interlimb Coordination: Real Constraints and False Dichotomies

Despite the recent advances in the field of coordination dynamics addressing the interplay of constraints of different natures in the emergence of human coordination, F. Mechsner (2004) invites us to revive hierarchical and dichotomous thinking by offering again his exclusive position that coordinated movements are (purely) perceptual-cognitive/psychological in nature. In this comment, the authors address a number of theoretical and methodological issues that might potentially puzzle the readers of Mechsner's article. They contend that the dichotomy proposed by Mechsner (i.e., perceptual-cognitive vs. motor) constitutes a restrictive framework for understanding human coordination.     

Changes in test-taking patterns over time

The current study aims to investigate the relationship between right, wrong and missing answers to cognitive test items (test-taking patterns) in the context of the Flynn Effect (FE). We compare two cohorts of Estonian students (1933/36, n = 890; 2006, n = 913) using an Estonian adaptation of the National Intelligence Tests and document three simultaneous trends: fewer missing answers (− 1 Cohen's d averaged over subtests), and a rise in the number of right and wrong answers to the subtests (average ds of .86 and .30, respectively). In the Arithmetical Reasoning and Vocabulary subtests, adjustments for false-positive answers (the number of right minus the number of wrong answers) reduced the size of the Flynn Effect by half. These subtests were supposed to be high g-loading subtests. Our conclusion is that rapid guessing has risen over time and influenced tests scores more strongly over the years. The FE is partly explained by changes in test-taking behavior over time.     

Local/foreign status,cultural background,and organizational citizenship behaviour: A study among foreign and local workers in The Netherlands

A study in Singapore (Ang et al., 2003 Ang, S., van Dyne, L. and Begley, T. M. 2003. The employment relationship of foreign workers versus local employees: A field study of organizational justice, job satisfaction, performance, and OCB. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 24: 561–583. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) found that foreign employees displayed a lower tendency to engage in Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) than their local counterparts. The explanation was that foreign employees often experience their employment relation as more disadvantageous. The present study attempted to investigate possible differences in OCB between foreign and local workers in The Netherlands. In addition, it aimed to ascertain what role the cultural dimension of “individualism–collectivism” plays in this connection. Contrasting the expectations, the foreign employees reported a higher propensity to pursue OCB than local workers. The difference in behaviour could not be explained by cultural differences. It was argued that economic and personal motives of foreign workers might have affected the self-reports of their organizational behaviour.     

主客体互倚性的成对模式及其检验

主客体互倚性模型（APIM）以成对数据作为分析单元,是成对数据分析的重要方法。基于APIM中的主体效应与客体效应,Kenny等人论述了APIM的四种成对模式：主体模式、客体模式、对偶模式与对比模式。通过定义客体效应与主体效应的比值为k,Kenny等人提出了定量指标,以分析主客体互倚性的成对模式。成对模式分析有助于简化数据结果、检验理论模型、解析群体互动过程。虽然k值的检验程序较为复杂,但APIM成对模式及k值的提出,对于成对数据分析,特别是家庭研究与组织心理学研究具有重要意义。     

基于等级反应模型的规则空间方法

本研究基于Tatsuoka的规则空间方法, 对理想反应模式与异常反应指标进行了扩展, 推导了多级评分项目下规则空间方法的算法公式。在4种属性层级结构(发散型、收敛型、线型与无结构型)×4种“失误”作答概率(2%、5%、10%与15%)测验情境下, 以属性模式判准率、被试属性判准率、敏感性与特异性为指标, 检验了多级评分项目下规则空间方法的分类准确性。结果表明：(1) 基于多级评分项目构建的异常反应指标, 能有效地对被试进行分类与解释, 且0-1评分项目下异常反应指标及其性质都是多级评分下的特例; (2) 随着“失误”作答概率的增加, 4种属性层级结构的分类准确性都会降低; (3) 线型和收敛型的分类准确性明显好于发散型与无结构型; (4) 纯规则点的分布对规则空间方法的分类准确性有显著影响。     

场景知觉及其研究范式

场景知觉关注的是人如何知觉和加工复杂的真实环境信息。场景包括物体和背景两个重要的组成部分,根据复杂性与真实性程度,场景刺激材料可以分为三种不同的类型。已有研究主要从自上而下和自下而上两种方式来解释场景知觉中信息的提取和加工,也有研究试图从二者交互的角度来进行解释。此外,基于不同的实验目的和技术,研究者分别采用了眼动、背景提示、物体觉察、变化觉察和点线索追随几种不同的研究范式来探讨场景信息的知觉问题。场景知觉研究在场景的定义、不同范式间的整合、研究内部效度和不同加工阶段的加工方式四个方面还需要进一步深入和探讨     

3-6岁儿童汉字字形认知的发展

以汉字、一般线条图、似字线条图和笔画组合为材料,采用字典判断任务考察3-6岁儿童汉字字形认知的发展特点。结果发现儿童辨别汉字与似字符号的能力随年龄增长显著提高。3岁儿童较难区分汉字与各类似字符号。4-5岁儿童对汉字笔画特征有了一定意识。6岁儿童对汉字组合模式的认识显著提高。笔画意识出现较早且发展速度较快,组合模式意识出现较晚且发展速度较慢。5岁和6岁是汉字字形认知发展的重要时期。     

亲子沟通观察研究的编码方案及其整合

在亲子沟通观察研究中对观察资料的编码和分析方法有许多种,文章介绍了行为类型编码、行为序列编码、言语内容编码、沟通结构编码等四类主流编码方案,并评析了每种方案的特点和应用背景;最后,指出未来亲子沟通研究编码方案的整合可以考虑如下三个思路:在行为分类基础上进行言语内容分析、从行为序列中发现沟通模式、一般趋势描述和典型个案分析相结合。     

Muscular Activation Pattern of Bilateral Extensors Response to Asymmetric Hand Lifting During Trunk Flexion–extension Performance

The authors' purpose was to test the effect of asymmetric hand lifting on muscular activation patterns of 3 bilateral extensors. Eighteen male university students without back pain were volunteered. Each performed flexion–extension randomly with conditions of right lifting, left lifting, and nonlifting. Surface electromyography from bilateral thoracic, lumbar erector spinae, and hamstring was recorded. The cross-correlation and relative intensity in paired muscles of bilateral extensors was calculated in flexion as well as extension period. The results showed that the cross-correlation coefficient was decreased and the phase lag as well as the relative intensity of bilateral extensors was increased significantly in thoracic level. The phase lag as well as the relative intensity of bilateral extensors was increased significantly in lumbar level. It was concluded that asymmetric lifting has a significant effect on muscular activation of bilateral extensors in thorax level, which causes the ipsilateral extensor to activate larger and longer. Asymmetric lifting also has some effect on muscular activation of bilateral extensors in lumbar level but with less extent than in thorax level, which causes contralateral extensor to activate larger and longer. Asymmetric lifting seems to have no significant effect on muscular activation of bilateral hamstring.